Handpresso
 

I picked up a Handpresso a few weeks before Christmas: the Wild, since it works with loose coffee or ESE pods. Only requires access to hot water and enough strength to work the manual pump. Makes EXCELLENT espresso. Bought a second one so I can use one at home and one on the road.

Only have tried Lucaffé pods so far, but they're very good and very good value. If you like strong espresso try the Arabica (brown packaging).

I'm not picky enough to travel with one (maybe if camping), but I love my Aeropress at home... it's definitely the best non-electric cup of coffee I've had (compared to pour-over, Bialetti Moka, french-press, etc). I've had Nespresso several times in hotel rooms and lounges that have them and wouldn't rate it anywhere above my Aeropress, especially with my preferred beans (usually a JBM blend or a Kona). I'd take an Aeropress and hand burr grinder over any electric machine I could even consider fitting in luggage... and there would be no need for electrical adapters!

I purchased a Handpresso set on advice of my sister, off EBAY.FR. The set includes a soft case, 2 plastic Demitasse cups, a cleaning cloth, and the Handpresso unit.

She gave me a box of ESE pods, which included Illy, Lucaffé, and Lavazza pods. When it arrived in the poste, the family all had a chance to try it out.

However, we live in the Alps. Taking a thermos of hot water anywhere to enjoy with the Handpresso later didn't work very well. One hour after filling the thermos, the water starts getting cold, and is just not hot enough to enjoy along the way. Changing to another thermos didn't help either. I gave it to my eldest son, and he gave it back. It then went to my other son, and ...... Déjà vu.

So the set went to my sister ( But . . . You're not using it ? ) , and even though she lives at a higher elevation than we do, we hope she is happy with it.

As a footnote, I did manage to rig a Nespresso Pixie to work in our SUV. I noticed that there were electrical sockets everywhere in the Cayenne models, 2 batteries, and this got me thinking. I put the Pixie in a Rimowa cargo case, and fill it and make capsule coffee use it in the cargo area when parked, with a converter. Nice and hot at a measured 74 C, or 165 F.

Now if could just rig it to work in the front console when I drive.